Pumpkin Apple Bread~

Last Friday, our family had a wonderful evening in front of the fireplace, stoking the fire and listening to old-fashioned records on my record player. (We did all this by candlelight! very fun!) Then my dad suggested my sister and I make a dessert--and what sounds better than 'pumpkin apple bread'? I found a recipe and simplified it for "mini loaves" or muffins. Here's the recipe:

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups flour (I mixed whole wheat/white flour), 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp baking soda & 1.5 tsp salt {To remove lumps, whisk the dry ingredients!)

In a seperate bowl, add 3 cups sugar...

{Don't decrease amount, it doesn't come out too sweet}

15 oz pumpkin puree...

4 large eggs...

And 1/2 cup vegetable oil.
Mix up all the ingredients!

Add 1/2 cup apple juice or cider (yum!)

Now, you pour the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients



As you combine the wet and dry ingredients, don't whip or stir too fast.

This develops gluten and makes it too dense/stiff/or something! ;)

Chop 1 large apple, and add to batter

Now we're ready to bake!

Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full...

And bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes

And they're ready! I made 3 batches, so there were about 38 muffins. They aren't sweet like cookies, but taste like a good hearty, (flavorful!) sweet bread. This recipe makes 2 loaves as well, so following the same directions, just pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans and bake for 60-70 minutes.